Jewish PAC endorses Hillary Clinton for president

Hillary Clinton addressing the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C., March 21, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (JTA) — A Jewish political action committee endorsed Hillary Clinton for president and pledged to help get out the vote for her.

JACPAC cited Clinton’s work as secretary of state in trying to bring about Israeli-Arab peace and her embrace of pro-Israel positions, as well as her commitment to maintaining abortion rights.

“A Hillary Clinton presidency will be an important step to safeguarding JAC’s issues; the women’s vote will be critical to Hillary’s success and JAC will be working hard to get the vote out,” the group said in a statement.

JACPAC focuses on Israel, abortion rights, gun control and church-state separation. It has endorsed Democrats and moderate Republicans in congressional races.

Polling has suggested that Clinton does not engender the same enthusiasm among the Democratic base as does her rival for the party’s nod, Bernie Sanders, the Independent senator from Vermont.

JACPAC’s endorsement at this stage also reflects the Clinton campaign’s bid to garner Jewish institutional support for the candidate in the face of a stronger than expected challenge by Sanders, the first Jewish presidential candidate to win major party nominating contests. Clinton leads Sanders in the delegate count.

While NORPAC does not make endorsements, its president, Ben Chouak, has endorsed has endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and NORPAC has raised funds for Cruz and Clinton.